Cross country runners kick off the season at Guthrie Center

Cross country coach Ryan Kobliska, now in his eighth year at Ogden, has witnessed cyclical changes in both his boys and girls team. Five years ago, numbers were down for the boys high school team. With eight freshmen joining this year, he now has 16 runners on the roster. Last year the girls did not even have enough runners to score at the meets. Their numbers doubled this year with the addition of four freshmen girls. 

“Our girls team will keep getting bigger and stronger and will start building some of the excitement themselves,” says Kobliska. Hannah Booth was our typical leader from last year and with the incoming freshman we should have a pretty solid middle pack.”

The boys squad lost two varsity runners to graduation so the coach is expecting a slight drop off to start the season. (Ogden was conference runner-up the past two seasons.) But he anticipates them getting back to a competitive level as the season progresses. Returning state qualifier Andrew Stumbo will be leading a very young team made up of four upper classmen and eight freshmen.  

“We are entering a stretch where we could be even a stronger team for years to come,” commented Kobliska. “We expect our younger runners to be keep pushing forward and maintain what’s been started.”